Clarke Schmidt to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Clarke Schmidt (elbow) will have season-ending elbow surgery on Friday, according to manager Aaron Boone. We already knew that Schmidt was likely to go under the knife, but now it's official. He will miss the rest of the 2025 season, and there's also a good chance he'll miss all of 2026, too, depending on how his rehab goes and what type of procedure he has on his elbow on Friday. In the meantime, rookie Cam Schlittler will make at least one more start in place of Schmidt after picking up a win in his MLB debut on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners, when he allowed three earned runs while walking two and striking out seven in 5 1/3 frames. Fantasy managers that still have Schmidt on their roster can safely drop him to the waiver wire in redraft leagues.Source: NJ Advance Media - Max Goodman
New York Yankees right-hander Paul Goldschmidt, Giancarlo Stanton Resting on Thursday
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Kaelen Culpepper Extends Double-A Hit Streak to Seven Games
Source: MiLB.com
Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper went 2-for-3 with a single, a double, a walk, and a run scored on Wednesday for Double-A Wichita. The Twins' fourth-ranked prospect is now riding a seven-game hit streak and has six multi-hit games in his last nine. Instead of taking time to get acclimated to Double-A pitching, the 22-year-old has hit the ground running, slashing .349/.431/.460 through 15 games for the Wind Surge. Overall, Culpepper is slashing .306/.395/.475 with 11 home runs and 18 steals in 69 games this year, and could see his prospect stock really start to rise. With an eventual move to second base, a power-hitting fantasy player with speed at the keystone could be very appealing, so he should be closely monitored in dynasty formats.Robby Snelling Headed to Triple-A Jacksonville
Robby Snelling is moving up to Triple-A Jacksonville. The Marlins' third-ranked prospect began the year at Double-A, and although he posted a 3.61 ERA and 1.22 WHIP overall (14 starts), the lefty has been much better as of late. Over his last three starts, Snelling has allowed two earned runs in 18 innings (1.00 ERA) with a 0.89 WHIP and a 22:3 K:BB. The 6-foot-3 hurler has tallied 318 strikeouts in 291 1/3 minor league innings pitched (9.82 K/9), and the Marlins could use all the rotation help they can get, but at 21 years old and with Miami beginning to fade from the playoff race, there's no need to rush him to the majors. As a result, fantasy managers may not see him debut until 2026, but he could be a worthwhile add in very deep and NL-only leagues were he to get the call.Source: Christina De Nicola
Miami Marlins pitching prospect Carter Jensen Keeps Rolling With Three Hits, Five RBI on Wednesday
Carter Jensen is on a roll, going 3-for-5 with a double, five RBI, and a run scored at Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday. That makes five multi-hit efforts in his last seven games, during which time he's gone 12-for-25 (.480) with four doubles, five home runs, 16 RBI, nine runs scored, a stolen base, and a 6:9 BB:K. The Royals' third-ranked prospect's hot hitting is what earned him a promotion to Triple-A in late June, but after some initial adversity (1-for-22 (.045), the 22-year-old has settled in nicely. At this rate, it's looking like a 2025 MLB debut is a high probability, and offensively proficient backstops are always intriguing in fantasy, so keep an eye out for any rumblings of a promotion.Source: MiLB.com
Kansas City Royals catching prospect Ryan Sloan Strikes Out Six on Wednesday
Source: MiLB.com
Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Ryan Sloan allowed one earned run on four hits and no walks (one hit-by-pitch) while striking out six in four innings of work on Wednesday at Single-A Modesto. The performance was a continuation of a strong stretch of pitching from Seattle's 2024 second-rounder, during which time he's allowed one earned run in 18 innings pitched (0.50 ERA) with a 0.78 WHIP and an 18:2 K:BB. For the season, the righty owns a 3.62 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and a 22.5 percent K-BB%, but this recent hot stretch could earn him a few starts at High-A in the coming weeks. Armed with a 6-foot-5 frame and a high 90s fastball, he's got the makings of an impactful fantasy player, but at just 19 years old, he's still likely a few years away from the majors.Christian Walker Returns From Paternity List
Christian Walker from the paternity list and optioned infielder/outfielder Shay Whitcomb to Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. The Astros have a scheduled day off on Thursday before beginning a series on Friday against the division-rival Texas Rangers, so fantasy managers should expect Walker back this weekend to close out the first half of the season. Even though the 34-year-old veteran right-handed slugger hasn't lived up to expectations as Houston's starting first baseman in 2025 in his first year with the team, he should be returned to starting fantasy lineups on Friday. Walker has picked things up of late, going 16-for-43 (.372) with two home runs and eight RBI in his last 10 games. Hopefully he'll continue to swing the bat well going into next week's All-Star break.Source: Houston Astros
The Houston Astros announced on Thursday that they reinstated infielder Asbel Gonzalez Swipes Two Bags, Reaches 60 Steals in 2025
Asbel Gonzalez went 2-for-5 with two steals and three runs scored on Wednesday for Single-A Columbia. The Royals' 23rd-ranked prospect's bat went cold in mid-June, but he is now riding a four-game hit streak. He has also been able to get on base via the walk all season (10.2 percent BB%), which has allowed him to utilize his speed. The 19-year-old is up to 60 steals in 2025, good for the second-most in the entire minor leagues, while hitting .261 with a .375 OBP. The 6-foot-2 Venezuelan strikes out at just a 15.0 percent rate, so look for his bat to pick up steam and get some at-bats at High-A before the season is out. With that type of ability to steal bases, he's a prospect whose progress is worth watching in dynasty formats.Source: MiLB.com
Kansas City Royals outfield prospect Tyler Stephenson Resting on Thursday
Tyler Stephenson is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's contest against the visiting Miami Marlins at Great American Ball Park. Jose Trevino is doing the catching for left-hander Nick Lodolo and will bat seventh against Marlins right-hander Cal Quantrill. Stephenson has been struggling offensively of late, going 6-for-33 (.182) with a double, three RBI, seven walks and 14 strikeouts in 42 plate appearances over 12 games since June 24. The 28-year-old is still Cincy's primary backstop, but fantasy managers may want to stay away until he shows some signs of breaking out of his current funk at the plate. Trevino has been solid in 2025 for the Reds while hitting .283 (47-for-166), but he has only four home runs and 14 RBI. The 32-year-old has a solo home run in just three career at-bats against Lodolo.Source: MLB.com
Cincinnati Reds catcher Jesse Winker Exits with Back Tightness
Jesse Winker (back) exited the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the hosting Baltimore Orioles with back tightness. Oof. Winker returned from a lengthy stay on the injured list due to an oblique injury just two days ago, but was pinch-hit for in the fourth inning by teammate Mark Vientos as he's now apparently dealing with a back issue. Presumably, the injury occurred during the contest, and he's almost certainly scheduled for further testing. He can be considered day-to-day for now, but back ailments aren't the most straightforward of injuries. Fantasy managers should closely monitor the situation.Source: Anthony DiComo
Per MLB.com's Anthony DiComo, New York Mets outfielder Baltimore Selects the Contract of David Banuelos
David Banuelos from Triple-A Norfolk. Baltimore currently has four of their options at backstop on the injured list, so the 28-year-old will serve as a potential fill-in if necessary, with the team playing a doubleheader with the New York Mets on Thursday. Banuelos has spent time in Triple-A and High-A in 2025, compiling an abysmally low .088/.188/.193 triple slash through 21 appearances. There's no reason to believe he'll make an impact in fantasy, and can be ignored for what will likely be a short stint with the big-league squad.Source: Baltimore Orioles
According to the team, the Baltimore Orioles have selected the contract of catcher Richie Palacios Moved to 60-Day Injured List
Richie Palacios (knee) to the 60-day injured list. It's nothing more than a procedural move for Tampa Bay, which clears a spot on the 40-man roster for newly acquired right-handed pitcher Bryan Baker. Palacios was recently pulled off his minor-league rehab assignment while dealing with intermittent soreness in his sprained right knee, but has since resumed baseball activities and will hopefully be ready to start another rehab stint following the All-Star break. The 28-year-old has taken just four at-bats for the Rays in 2025 since picking up the injury in mid-April, and is currently still set for a Jul. 24 return.Source: Tampa Bay Rays
Per the team, the Tampa Bay Rays have transferred outfielder Byron Buxton Sitting Thursday
Byron Buxton (hand) won't be in the team's lineup for their series finale against the visiting Chicago Cubs. The veteran was plunked by a pitch in Wednesday's 4-2 victory over Chicago and forced from the contest early. Initial X-rays returned negative, but it appears he'll still need some time to recover from the contusion. Teammate Harrison Bader will patrol center field in his stead with Willi Castro moving up to the leadoff spot as Minnesota goes for the sweep. After a slow beginning to the season, Buxton was red-hot through May and June, boasting a .312 average with 13 home runs, eight steals, 34 RBI, and 30 runs scored. He's cooled quite a bit in July (.172) but is still on pace to set career-highs in homers and steals, and record his first 20/20 season in the majors.Source: MLB.com
Minnesota Twins outfielder Yankees Cut Ties with DJ LeMahieu
DJ LeMahieu. Wow. The veteran was designated for assignment by New York on Wednesday, and after clearing waivers, unclaimed, was let go by the organization. LeMahieu had an incredible first two seasons with the Yankees from 2019 to 2020, but has declined in recent years and posted an unappealing .266/.338/.336 triple slash with five extra-base hits (two homers, three doubles) across 45 appearances in 2025. That, along with Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s ability at the keystone, was enough to split ways with the 36-year-old. LeMahieu will now look for more work with another MLB squad, but doesn't project to be a hot commodity on the open market.Source: New York Yankees
Per the team, the New York Yankees have released infielder Cam Schlittler Picks Up First Big-League Victory
Cam Schlittler yielded four hits and three earned runs over 5 1/3 innings of work in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the visiting Seattle Mariners. He issued two free passes and struck out seven to notch his first MLB win. The 24-year-old fired 52 of 72 pitches for strikes and picked up ten whiffs for a strong 33% CSW, while recording the seven fastest pitch velocities in the outing. Schlittler fell victim to the long ball -- allowing two solo homers -- but was mainly solid in his big-league debut. He'll get a chance to stick in the rotation with teammate Clarke Schmidt (elbow) likely to require Tommy John surgery, and should get his next start in a road series against the Atlanta Braves following the All-Star break. Schlittler is worth a speculative add until he proves otherwise.Source: ESPN
New York Yankees starting pitcher